Further information about HIIA

You can use our guides and resources to help you carry out an HIIA. Our answers to frequently asked questions resource provides more information about why and how to conduct a health inequalities impact assessment (HIIA).

Background to HIIA

HIIA is a process which offers an integrated approach to impact assessment. It was developed following a recommendation in Scottish Government’s Equally Well report (external website) and has been used in the Scottish Government, local and national health boards and some third sector agencies since its launch in 2011.

How will the organisation be held to account for embedding equality and human rights into its plans and policies?

Non-discrimination and equality

Does the policy ensure everyone can realise their human rights?

Has the HIIA considered how it can demonstrate non-discriminatory practice and advance equality?

Empowerment

How does the plan/policy build understanding or affirmation of human rights?

Legality

Has the policy respected, protected and fulfilled the full range of legally protected human rights?

Embedding a human rights based approach into existing impact assessment processes can help mainstream human rights into the work of public authorities. You can find more information about a human rights based approach on our Right to Health page.

You can read more information on equality and human rights impact assessment on the SHRC's website (external website).

The legal duty for impact assessments

Not all decisions by organisations need to be impact assessed. Public bodies have a legal duty to conduct an equality impact assessment where a plan, policy or decision has the potential to impact upon people and to the extent necessary to demonstrate that due regard has been paid to the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010 (external website).

HIIA includes equality impact assessment and therefore satisfies this legal requirement if it considers how a new or revised policy will

eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other prohibited conduct

foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not

Further support

Members of the Learning and Improvement team in the NHS Health Scotland are available to discuss any part of the process and share examples of practice. They can also provide copies of any NHS Health Scotland HIIA report.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can provide advice on an impact assessment (external website) and guidance on rights, responsibilities and good practice, based on equality law and human rights.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) (external website) is dedicated to helping everyone understand their rights and the shared responsibilities we have to each other and to communities. The commission is independent of the UK and Scottish parliaments and governments.